OCT 19th - OCT 25th 2026

6 nights / 5 full days

Location: Casa Almeda & Casa La Daina, Romanyà de la Selva, Catalonia, Spain

This Walking Retreat is designed for creative minds and anyone who finds inspiration in nature. We invite you to join us, to wander through the untouched heart of the forested Gavarres hills and along the wild coastline of the Costa Brava — a region where old trails wind between cork-oaks, old pines and olive groves, where sunlight sparkles off the Mediterranean sea and flickers across the forest floor.

On these walks you’ll encounter deep history: prehistoric dolmens hidden among the Mediterranean pines, mysterious standing stones, ancient stone circles and the quiet ruins of forgotten chapels. These guided walks open space for conversation and laughter but also for more meditative moments and stillness. There will of course also be opportunities on several of the days for rejuvenating sea-swimming on some of the Costa Brava’s legendary beaches.

As we walk each morning, your guide will point out the living systems that surround us: the hidden intelligence of roots and fungi, the resilience and cycles of the forest, the delicate balance that sustains every bird and blossom. These quiet teachings invite you to soak up the stories, poetry, forms and colours of the natural world and to internalise them.

Afternoons and evenings unfold in the warmth of a large Catalan farmhouse. The property is surrounded by a forest of Catalonian cork-oaks, Mediterranean pines, alders, hazels, eucalyptus, plane trees, strawberry trees and chestnut trees which stretches out in every direction. Looking across the forested plain from the farmhouse, on a clear day, you can see the high Pyrenees. There’s time each afternoon at the farmhouse for rest, journaling, reading, sun-bathing, pool-swimming, chatting or simply watching the light fade beyond the treetops.

Mediterranean lunches and dinners, prepared with local ingredients and enjoyed with wine from nearby vineyards, offer nutritious renewal after each day’s walk.. This retreat is as much about connection with your fellow walkers as it is about exploration — it’s a chance to walk together through natural beauty, history, and to all return home grounded, clearer, lighter, inspired, transformed and restored.

Who this retreat is for

This retreat is for people who love exercise, forests, beaches, fine food and meeting like minds:

• Walkers

• Creatives

• Foodies

No particular level of hiking experience is required, but a little fitness is expected as the walks each day will last around 3hrs - 4hrs. Some of the trails are very slightly challenging, with short stretches of ascent and occasional stretches with tree-roots and rocks. However most of the paths are very easily walkable. Sturdy footwear, a sun hat, suncream, a small backpack, a water bottle, a swimming costume, mosquito repellant (there may still be the occasional mosquito) and a waterproof jacket should all be brought with you from home. Rain is unlikely but you never know.

Retreat structure

Arrival day

• Arrival at Casa La Daina from 4pm. Settle in, freshen up, explore

• Introductions, welcome drinks and canapés at 7pm

• Delicious 3-course dinner in the large dining room at 8pm

Five full retreat days

• Self-serve breakfast each morning

• Guided walk 3hrs - 4hrs

• Nutritious lunch buffet

• Afternoons free for journalling, rest, map-guided walking, pool-swimming and reading.

• Evening meals together at the house, with one optional dinner out on the coast.

Departure day

• Breakfast and relaxed departure by 10am

Guided nature walks

During the five full days of the retreat, the guided nature walks will be led by Rory Pierce in the surrounding forests of La Selva and along the dramatic coastline of the Costa Brava.

These 3hr - 4hr walks are intended to be creatively inspiring as well as restorative. Moving through cork-oak woodland, ancient paths, and coastal trails, participants will be introduced to the history, nature and ecology of the region — the deep forest, Mediterranean flora and fauna, dolmens, menhirs, and stone circles.

The coastal walks involve optional sea swims at beaches such as Playa Castell and Playa Sant Pol

There are also maps for self-guided walks available should you require solo quiet time in the forest in the afternoons.

The setting

Two conjoined properties, Casa Almeda and Casa La Daina

Together these adjoining properties offer:

• Comfortable private and shared bedrooms

• Dedicated work-desks/ tables in each bedroom

• Multiple quiet communal workspaces

• Gardens, terraces, and shaded outdoor areas for working

• A swimming pool with sun loungers

• Reading nooks and common rooms

• Wi-Fi throughout the properties

As well as a sleeping area, each private room has a work-table area for creative activities. Unfortunately we cannot facilitate wet-media artists. However very soon we hope to be able to facilitate painters and sculptors when we add a sink to several of the private rooms.

The old medieval hamlet of Romanyà de la Selva is small and peaceful, with no shops or cafés. This simplicity allows participants to fully disconnect from daily demands and focus on their work.

Food and drink

The food each day is nourishing and generous.

• Breakfast: self-serve, including cereals, yoghurt, fruit, homemade breads, jams, eggs, and ham

• Lunch: a substantial buffet with soups, salads, quiches, tortillas, cheeses, and seasonal dishes

• Dinner: relaxed, varied and substantial three-course evening meals, with one meal out at a harbour-side restaurant on the Costa Brava (not included in the retreat fee)

• Coffee, tea, biscuits and maybe the occasional cake will be available during the day.

• Wine and other drinks are not included in the retreat fee. You’ll be able to purchase excellent wine from us at cost value (€8-€15) or you’re welcome to bring your own. Tap water is fine to drink, though we will provide bottled water too.

• Vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free and lactose-free diets will be catered for, if we are informed of your food requirements in good time. Please inform us when you book. Unfortunately, those with nut and other severe allergies cannot be catered for.

Accommodation and fees

Accommodation is offered in a range of rooms throughout the adjacent properties, with shared or private bathrooms. Fees vary by room size and bathroom arrangement.

The retreat fee includes:

• 6 nights’ accommodation at the adjoining properties of Casa Almeda/ Casa La Daina

• All breakfasts, lunches, and all evening meals (except one evening meal out)

• Welcome drinks

• Access to all retreat spaces and facilities

• Optional guided nature walks

• Local transport for group activities (such as sea-swimming or travel to a restaurant) where required

The retreat fees vary depending on which room you’d like. Click to view the room list and the room prices

There are extra non-private writing spaces throughout the villa and farmhouse.

If you’re interested in sharing Mercè or Libertad, consider inviting another creative friend so you’re sharing with someone you know. Alternatively, we’ll aim to pair you with someone suitable. Contact us to find out more.

There is also the option to bring a ‘non-participating partner’ for any of the double rooms. Your partner will probably not use the work-area in your room, however they may wish to work in a communal area, or in the garden, or read by the pool etc. They will be included in all the mealtimes and can come on all the optional acivities such as walks. The cost for a ‘non-participating partner’ is €950.

RETREAT FEES